How to Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves

Table of Contents

1. The Keys
   How to Use this Book
   The Dog We Want to Own

2. How Dogs Learn

3. Universal Rules

4. Choosing a Puppy
   Breeds
   Checking on Breeders
   Field Tested Stock
   Test Results - Statistics
   Temperament
   Age of Pup

5. Getting Ready for Pup
   "Average" Pup
   Who is Boss?
   Sleeping Quarters
   The Dog Crate
   The Breeder and the Crate
   Fenced Yard or Kennel Run
   Naming Your Dog
   Finding a Good Veterinarian
   Collar and Leash
   Collar On or Off?
   Vacations - Boarding Your Pup
   Summary - Things To Do Before Pup Arrives

6. D-Day! Your Pup Arrives
   Shipping - Airport Pick-up
   Arrival in Pup's New Home
   Pup's First Day in His New Home
   Food
   The Crate as Bed and Nest
   The Traveling Dog Crate
   After the First Day

7. Day-To-Day House and Yard Conditioning (I) House-Breaking
   Pup's "Bathroom"
   When to Teach a Pointing Dog "Sit"
   Feeding
   Come
   No!
   Chewing
   Digging
   Jumping
   Off Limit Places
   Children
   Other Dogs
   Around Town Conditioning
   Leash Conditioning
   Cat Conditioning
   Camping

8. Day-To-Day House and Yard Conditioning (II)
   Preliminary "Whoa" Conditioning
   Retrieving Conditioning
   Force Retrieving or Natural Retrieving???
   Using Dummies and Dead Birds for Retrieving
   Some Don'ts for Retrieving Conditioning
   The Training Table - A Valuable Tool
   Training Table Conditioning
   Preliminary Gun Conditioning
   Boarding Kennel Conditioning

9. Field Exposure (I) Learning to Search for Game
   Finding the Right Fields
   Water Areas
   Getting Pup Started in the Field
   Other Conditioning
   Your Behavior in Field and Forest
   Establishing the Special One-on-One Connection
   Whistles and Calling Your Dog
   Continuing the One-on-One Connection
   No Talking!
   Reinforcement of "Come" During Field and Woods Exposure
   Searching for Game
   Barbed Wire
   Gun Conditioning in the Field

10. Field Exposure (II) Pointing and Retrieving
    What to Do When He Does Point
    Avoid Planted Birds Like the Plague
    Avoid Using a Fly Rod with Bird Wing Attached
    Never Shoot a Bird that the Young Dog Doesn't Point
    Retrieving Conditioning in the Field

11. Water Conditioning
    Introduction to Water
    What to Do if Pup Won't Go in Water
    Water Conditioning for Duck Hunting
    Preliminary Gun Conditioning at the Water
    Shooting Over Dog in Water and Working with Live Ducks

12. The First Hunting Season
    First Bird Shot Over Pup
    Introduction to Upland Hunting
    Waterfowl Hunting Conditioning
    Variety of Game

13. Getting the Most Out of Your Gun Dog
    Understanding Your Dog
    After the First Year
    The Slow Bloomers
    Contact Members of Your Breed Club for Help
    Finishing Off the Rough Edges and Fine Tuning
    Good Luck With Your Gun Dog
    

1. The Awkward Age - This too Shall Pass by Ed Bailey
   
2. The Training Table
3. Quail Recall Box
4. Outlets for Dog Equipment
5. Breed Clubs
6. Field/Working Testing Organizations